Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild has invited Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to visit, saying that despite the recent executive orders by U.S. President Donald Trump, the "door to our city is open ... Building a wall or increasing tariffs sends the wrong message."

Rothschild sent a letter to the Mexican leader Wednesday, in the wake of Peña Nieto called off a planned meeting with Trump after the American president called for a tax on trade between the two nations to fund a border wall.

"We have touted our city's friendly relationship with Mexico as a selling point for businesses that may wish to locate here, and we welcome Mexican visitors," Rothschild wrote. "Building a wall or increasing tariffs sends the wrong message about the importance of the relationship between our two countries, which is based on, among other things, mutual cooperation and respect."

The mayor cited Tucson's "leading voice in opposing and litigating against policies that have a negative effect on the relationship between our two countries," pointing to the city's opposition to SB 1070, a state law that has been mostly tossed out by the courts.

"We are deeply troubled by the tone and content of recent Executive Orders, and wish to explore ways in which we might strengthen our economic and cultural ties," the mayor said.

1 comment on this story

Thank you, mayor Rothschild.
When President Nieto visits, Coffee Times Drive-Thru would love to offer free drinks and food to his entire party, as well as yours. Small companies like ours benefit greatly from our enormous Hispanic customer segment, and we’d be proud to offer something back. Again, good job mayor Rothschild!!!

Yes!

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